dfettero

Doesn't adding the Z51 sway bars to a base model take the car from factory under steer to neutral or slight oversteer?

falcon5619

If you replace the front and install the rear bar it remains neutral. If you only install the rear bar you should get some oversteer.

Tom's '07 Monty

Been following the Z51 swaybar thread...it is deep. Did this on my base C6 (bars and shocks) was very, very happy. I now have 2016 Z51 (no mag ride). I want a little more aggressive handling (I do not autocross or do road courses) on the street. I am thinking that the heavier/mag ride rear sway bar may help. Or I could go with the LG sway bar kit. Cost aside, how much difference on the non mag ride Z51 car with 31mm rear sway bar and the stock non mag Z51? How much difference between the 31mm rear sway bar and the non mag Z51 with the LG kit? Thanks a million, your answer/advice may save this old man some work and a lot of money.

falcon5619

I can only say that standard Z51 bars and new front bushings stiffened up the suspension on my base Stingray pretty well. It definitely feels more planted, especially the rear since it had no sway bar at all. I think if you are mainly street driving the standard bars are fine and do not ruin the ride on the street.

I think if you go with stiffer bars then you might as well take it further and optimize the handling for the track and get the stiffer shocks and springs to go with it.

rb185afm

I added the Z51 front and rear to my base. Made a world of difference in a corner. It’s a must if you want to do a HDPE. Way to much slop with no sway. I was literally disgusted with how the base corners at the limit with no sway bar.

Roadrogue

falcon5619

Yeah, I felt the base suspension was a bit sloppy as well. So much so that I was beginning to regret not getting the Z51 package. For $300 I added The z51 bars. When combined with the base shocks and springs the suspension feels more buttoned down without ruining the ride quality on the street with less than perfect roads. I was thinking I may need the shocks but with just the new sway bars and poly bushings it feels pretty good.

C82LT

relited

I have a 2017 base stingray should I upgrade ?

RADR1VETTE

CptCvMan

Street or track and street?
How aggressive do you drive?

RADR1VETTE

montanaman

I'm still pondering whether of not to add these bars and I do have a Mag ride C7 with Z51 wheel set up. According to many here this is when it's really worth doing the upgrade. Not as much if you have a non-mag ride car.

I do get the opportunity to throw this car around bit on our very rural mountain roads and I do feel the rear end could feel more laterally planted but I do not want to trade off the very comfortable ride I have going now. I am also doing the Mag ride update this week as mine is a 2017.

Vaughan LT2 Conv

Good afternoon Montanaman,
I too have a 2017 Stingray with the MSRC option and I love it... It's a 2LT black rose convertible with a black top and the black interior as well as the black machine faced Z51 wheels with the basic gray calipers and chrome emblems. My first mod was the Crazy Cowboy Noise & Heat insulation kit install, I went with the double extreme kit and absolutely love the difference. My wife was shocked when she saw the car interior gutted but she trusted me to get it all back together... And I did! I just installed my Sway Bars this weekend and I went with the MSRC bars which means I have the 31MM rear bar and WOW I can feel a difference.
I too plan on getting the MSRC upgrade soon but after the transmission check next week at the dealer... I have an automatic with 8500 miles and its acting a little strange! I do not beat on my car but I do drive it spirited... At 61 I do enjoy the car.
If you buy the bars please be aware that install at home is a challenge w/o a lift! I have a nice floor jack and it still had its challenges being up in the air... I did however polish and wax all 4 drums on each wheel while off the car. I do love the black machine faced Z51 wheels and the fact that the drum is painted like the face, it really makes for a good look when showing the car. It's July so you have probably made a decision about the bars by now. Enjoy!
Steve

montanaman

Thanks for the info. I have not pulled the trigger on the bars yet and I'm leaning towards not doing it. I did have the MSRC upgrade and I am in the plus column on that. The ride is better in Touring and now Sport mode is not quite as harsh and more usable on less than perfect roads. I do notice a difference. I love the way this car rides and do more highway driving and even though I run it hard through some turns I will never track the car and I just don't think I will get that much out of the sway bars. Did they compromise the straight down the road road feel. In other words when going over rough pavement does it make the car feel stiffer? That I do not want.

juanvaldez

No, or very little.

Vaughan LT2 Conv

IMO, Yes I feel everything now... I have not had the MSRC upgrade yet and I will decide to leave or remove them (sway bars) after that upgrade. I plan on 95% highway and maybe 5% twisties so yes ride is paramount for me. I also plan to get the "Street" alignment that I have been reading about once I do the MSRC upgrade.